Taichung Police Name and Shame 14 Repeat Drug Drivers

Taichung police have publicly named and shamed 14 repeat offenders for driving under the influence of drugs, releasing their full names and frontal photographs. These individuals have committed the offense more than twice within the past decade.

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Public disclosure is not the goal, but rather to use legally disclosed names, photos, and violations as a warning to protect every citizen's safe return home.

The police department posted the list on its official Facebook page, "Taichung TCPB Police," on July 16. The aim is to use public exposure as a deterrent, hoping to prevent further instances of driving under the influence and protect public safety. However, the move has sparked widespread debate online, with many netizens criticizing the current legal penalties as insufficient.

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Seeing repeat offenders again and again is disheartening.

Commenters described the list as "nationally certified mobile spirit tablets" and urged the government to impose stricter punishments, with some even suggesting the reintroduction of corporal punishment like caning. The police acknowledged the frustration of frontline officers who frequently encounter repeat offenders, stating that the list's existence signifies a disregard for the law and the safety of other road users. They expressed a desire for a future where such lists are no longer necessary.

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The penalties are too light, exhausting the grassroots officers.

"Public disclosure is not the goal, but rather to use legally disclosed names, photos, and violations as a warning to protect every citizen's safe return home," the police stated. They also admitted that seeing the same faces repeatedly is disheartening. The hope is that publicizing photos will encourage offenders to be more vigilant and refrain from driving under the influence. While some believe public disclosure offers a degree of "social restraint" by alerting friends and the wider community, others argue that the penalties remain too lenient. Police reminded the public that current laws include hefty fines, license suspension, and vehicle impoundment for repeat offenders, with penalties up to life imprisonment for causing death while driving under the influence.

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Disclosure is useless; they'll still drive drunk.